Why Curtis Granderson Will Be Deciding Factor in Mets vs. Dodgers NLDS

Curtis Granderson has emerged as one of the game’s best leadoff hitters this season, and his ability to get on base will play a huge part in the upcoming National League Division Series versus the Los Angeles Dodgers. Since pitching will likely rule the series, Granderson’s role will be more important than ever as he looks to continue what he did all year—work the count and provide a jolt with home runs.

While players such as Yoenis Cespedes and David Wright have entered and altered the dynamic of the Mets lineup, it has been Granderson who has quietly buoyed the offense since Opening Day with his consistent power and clutch hitting away from home. 

Playing in 157 games during the regular season, Granderson led the team in runs scored with 98. Granderson finished third in the majors in runs while batting first, despite hitting in a lineup that was one of the worst in the league during the first four months of the season.

On Wednesday, Mets manager Terry Collins was quick to laud the presence Granderson brings to the team during an interview with Kevin Armstrong of the New York Daily News.

“For me, he’s been one of the biggest pieces of the whole puzzle,” Collins said. “He’s the most consistent of anybody.”

In 80 home games this season, Granderson hit 12 homers. In 77 contests away from Citi Field, he hit 14 home runs.

Granderson led off in 140 of those games and set the Mets single-season record for most home runs from the leadoff spot, with 26 this season.

Like a modern day Rickey Henderson, who led the league in walks four different times during his career, Granderson has that dangerous combination of power and patience at the plate.

Both skill sets should help the Mets tremendously this week, as they get set to face the dynamic duo of Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke in Games 1 and 2.

Since base hits will presumably be tough to come by, Granderson’s role as a table-setter will be key to the Mets’ success. If he can get on base ahead of heavy hitters such as Cespedes and Lucas Duda, clutch walks could lead to more runs scored for the Mets.

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In a recent SportsNet New York telecast, announcer Ron Darling noted the impact Granderson’s .364 OBP and 91 BB have on the offense. 

“When Cespedes was red hot, it seemed like every time he hit a home run he got a high five from Granderson at the plate,” Darling said. “In fact I think Cespedes said to Kevin Long, ‘Boy, that guy Granderson, I like him hitting in front of me.’”

Granderson also leads the team in WAR, according to FanGraphs, and has a way of making other players around him better. He could be considered one of the most underrated hitters in the National League. His solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning on the final day of the season lifted the Mets to a 1-0 victory over the Washington Nationals and ended their five-game losing streak.

Look for Granderson to give his team a similar spark this weekend, as he brings his second half batting average of .278 into Chavez Ravine.

With his club in an offensive funk, scoring only two runs in their last four games of the season and getting no-hit on Saturday, Granderson will have to step up.